New Delhi: Even as evacuations continue post the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan, two explosions took place outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday evening. At least 15 people have been killed and over 52 people are said to be injured in the blasts.
US Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed that there was an explosion outside the Kabul airport.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” he said in a tweet.
A suspected suicide bomb exploded outside Kabul airport, killing at least 13 people including children, a Taliban official told Reuters after the United States and allies urged Afghans to leave the area because of a threat by Islamic State.
"An explosion occurred near Kabul airport. So far, several of the injured have been taken to an emergency hospital for treatment," TOLOnews reported.
The explosion outside the Kabul airport was at one of the entry gates and appears to be a suicide attack, CNN reported three US officials as saying.
A report by Al Jazeera claimed that at least 15 people have been injured in the "suicide attack" that hit an entrance gate of Kabul airport today. The explosion occurred near the Baron Hotel which is across from the airport.
The hotel was reportedly being used by British forces, as per Wall Street Journal.
US President Joe Biden has reportedly been briefed on the explosion outside the Kabul airport.